LPIC-1 Devices, Filesystems and FHS Practice Question
Which THREE conditions will cause the fsck command to automatically run on the root filesystem during boot? (Choose three.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often think 'read-only' (Option D) implies a filesystem check is needed, but fsck only triggers based on superblock flags and mount counts, not the current mount mode.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The system was not shut down properly.
When the system was not shut down properly (e.g., due to a power failure or crash), the root filesystem is marked as 'dirty' in its superblock. During the next boot, fsck detects this condition and automatically runs a filesystem check on the root partition to ensure consistency before mounting it.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The 'fsck.mode=force' kernel parameter was specified.
Why it's wrong here
This forces fsck but is not an automatic condition; it's a manual override.
- ✓
The system was not shut down properly.
Why this is correct
Improper shutdown sets a dirty flag.
- ✓
The root filesystem's superblock indicates an unclean unmount.
Why this is correct
An unclean unmount sets the dirty bit, triggering fsck.
- ✗
The root filesystem is read-only.
Why it's wrong here
Read-only mounting does not by itself trigger fsck.
- ✓
The filesystem has been mounted more than the configured maximum mount count.
Why this is correct
The mount count triggers a check when exceeded.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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